Newspaper of The New York Herald, March 13, 1855, Page 2

TKa OrttBd Conftnm 'lFU?* * at (kc Herald ConmrnwWTbe FacW mam llM Pnolk. [From the Herald, Not. 7, 1864.] m mwwi r OF ni CUNFIMNCI OF IKWCIX KWIfr TBU AT 08TCW-TBS IMKSDUT1 ACqCUITION OS ?o?wilvate adviees enable ua to state with .sertelnty ttie resalt of the ministerial and ambaaaaJrflal confe rence recently held at Ostcnd, and the Object Of which was, it appears, to determine upon a Iin? of policy by which our diffieultiee with Spain would veadjueted, and that goTemment induced to make reparation for paat outrages aad indignities upon our citirfB* and oommerce, aa well aa security for the future. The conference necessarily brou^t up for discussion the peculiar position in which tie government of the United States is placed by the ?fusal of Spain to afford any suitable satisfaction for tf* Black Warrior and other ?ntrages; or, indeed, to cou?'"ue negotiations upon the eubjeet. Matters have arr?od at that crisis where n? thing is left for the Unite* States but either to abandon the whole" question, or f continue it In a manner whioh will afford no opportunity for further k hurtling Such Wag the opinion of Iftssrs. Buchanan, Mason and Soul.-, we an not surprise' to learn that they agreea to recom mend that the govifument of the United States should declare, in effect, 'hat our safety demanded and our in terests required we should purchase or take Cuba at #n oo. It is underwood that Mr. McRae, our Coniul at Paris, Who arrived here In the Arabia, was the bearer of the des patches c?oTeJ'Dff this recommendation of the American Sinister* and urging upon the President Immediately to ?nke t" avowal, and take iteps to carry it into elfect. The setter is now being deliberated upon by the Cabinet at Washington, and the country will look with deep inte rest to the result. Measrs. Buchanan, Mason and Souli- have also ex press ed their conviction that France and K.nglaud ure favor ?Me to the sale of Cuba to the United States? a marked change having recently taken place in the policy of those oeu n tries in tuia re* pec t. The tone of the English and French press would lead to a supposition that this was ?be cam ; but this is rendered more important by the of Aeial character of the inclination now in possession of ?ur government. Mr. Buohanan is a statesman of experience and reflec tion, and his recommendation will necessarily carry with it great weight. It is difficult to imagine he would sug r*?t the adoption of such a decided course were he not convinced, not only that this is the proper time to strike m dec nlve blow, but that it is useless to expect Spain to do ns justice unles compelled to it. Thus fortified, it is not improbable Mr. Pierce may act wpen the advice now given. Whatever course is deter aarned upon, the action must be prompt. The Cortes Baeets at Madrid next month. The ultimatum of the Doited States should be made known during its ression. Should the administration determine to take firm and vrogressivo ground in this matter, it is supposed the lone squadron will be sent to Havana, Matanzas and other porta of Cu'ja? thus lending a moral influence to ih^fguments used in favor of its acquisition. This vww Ml likelihood be the first indication given of the President's intention of acting upon the suggestions of -Mr. Buchanan and his confreres. We look with interest to the developeinent of the affair, but with littls confi dence is the firmness of the government at Washington. [From the Herald, Jan. 9, 18f 5 ] MrrOLtTION in the foreign policy of THB AD MINI8TKATION? ABANDONMENT OF CUBA? RESIG NATION OF BOI'LE. As all inquiry into the Ostf nd conference, on the part ?f the HouBe of Representatives, has been practically defeated by tlie reference of the resolution of inquiry to ill* Committee on Foreign Relations, It in due to the pnbllc that a brief, comprehensive and reliable narrative mi aU the transactions which led to the calling of the conference in question, as well as the events which have subsequently taken place, should be given. We propose to fill up the hiatus which now exists by a plain statc atent, free from bias, and with as little comment as practicable. When Mr. Conic was appointed Minister to Spain, he Meepted the position with the distinct understanding that the acquisition of Cuba was a leading policy of the Administration, and that to that end all his energies were to be dirt cted. From the first moment of hi* arri *ml at Madrid this idea was the key note to his whole conduct. When he wub charged with demanding repa ration for the Black Warrior outrage, it was deemed a fitting opportunity to review all the various outrages Which had been committed by the authorities of Cubit ?pen our citizens and commerce for :i long series of years ; and accordingly Mr. Soulr did not confine himself to a mere monetary claim for damages, but also demand*! a suitable apology. The result of the negotiations which followed was the distinct refusal of the Spanish government to mike any apology. Upon this, Mr. Sou It' cloned the negotiations and reported the facts to the government at Washington. Id doing to, he took occasion to give hiB views at length a* te the condition of all'airs in 8pain, and express his convictions that If the limited States adopted a vigorous aad decided policy, Cuba in less than six months would he ours. But as ho did not desire that his mere ipse dixit should be tak< n, be suggested that a conference might be held with Mr. Buobanan and Mr. Mason, where he would fully explain his views, and a joint report could be for warded hire of the result. A special messenger was despatched with this impor tant communication, and it at once met with & favora hie respo nse at the hands of the I'resident and Cabinet ?none being more enthusiastic than Mr. Marcy. Armed with this authority the messenger returned, and the conference at Ostend was held. As soon as the three Ministers had decided upon a concert of action, a joint despatch was written, and Mr. McRae, United States Consul at Paris, was sent ?<> Wash togton, the bearer of the' result. He arrivtd Iiere in me jtoamship Arabia November 2d, and in the Hkhai.d of November 7th a full statement wae given of the con tests of the despatch, it was there st.itod thit the conference had been held to consider but on? subject? the condition of our relations with Spain an 1 their con nection with the Cuban question. Messrs. Buchanan, Mason and Soulr united in recommending that the gov ernment of the United States should declare, in elT jet. hat it was useless to prolong negotiations further? thai ? long as Cuba remained a dependence of the Spanish Town it would continue to be a source of annoyance and injury to us, and that both our honor and interest required we should either purchase or take Cuba at ?ace. They further expressed the opinion that England aad France would offer but little if any opposition to the transfer by purchase of the island to the United States. Since this publication different versions of the con lerence have appeared; but the above contained the whole substance of the despatch, and any statements contradicting it are erroneous. And In th.s connection It is a pregnant fact, that whilst the organs of the ad sainistration have freely contradicted other versions of the result of the conference, which have been published, the Hhum> article of the 7th of November ban never been contradicted or impeached. We now come to the pcr'od when, for the first time, a change wss determined upon by the President and Cabi net in their Cuba policy. It was found that the pas sage of the Nebraska bill bad stirred up an excitement ihroughcut the country upon sectional grounds, second, perhaps, not even to the agitation in 1H50. The aboli tionists were sweeping the North, sndthe aduiais fcration was carried away and almost anuihilated by the flood. Mt, Hare;, who had been a t&r<!y and unwilling convert to the necessity or expediency of that measure, sudden ly became convinoed that unless the agitation was al lowed to die out upon the meagre food of the theory that alavery was not being extended by the Nebraska bill, the whole couatry would irretrievably be abolitloniied. lie believed that to press the annexation of Cuba ? a new ?lave State? would at this time be madness: and he therefore set his foot down against the views advocated bj Messrs. Buchanan, Mason, and Soule. The diccis ?tons in the Cabinet were frequent and animated. Mr. Fierce at first sided with the Ostend Conference, and Mr. Gash.Bg exerted all his ability to combat Mr. Marcy's re ceive. It was pending this discussion that the rumor obtained cnmrncy that Mr. Marcy was about to retire from tfie State Department: and there Is no doubt he would have retired sooner than yield his convictions as to the impolicy of forcing the acquisition of Cuba whilst the public mind wss still feverish over the Nebraska bill. But Mr. Marcy at leagth carried his point. The policy cf the administration was changed, and instead of Mr. ?oule receiving a reply to the joint despatch, approving cf its views, as be had a right to etpen from all the in cidents of the past, he was wntten to to proceed without delay to Madrid, and re open the negotiation" which he had closed, asking for reparation and an apology for the Blae.a Warrior ail'alr, but instructing him to use no threats and to avoid all occasion for Irritation. Thus ?tande the matter now. It can readily be imagined that Mr Soulr received this last despatch from Mr. Marcy with feelings of unmixed surprise and indignation. Acting upon instructions, ha had pressed the Spanish government for reparation and apology for past outrages; and failing to receive either, be hsd abrnptly closed the negotiations. How can he re open them w.th lienor to himself An apology al ready refused, can he worthily represent the United States by sueing humbly for that which in its very na ture must be given as a matter of right, and not as a ohanty, in order to possess sny merit whatever!" These are Mr. Heult's views, we have the best authority for declaring. We feel, therefore, authorized to announce that Mr. goule hat resigned kit jm/ition at Minuter to Spain, and ictM $pe*itly return to the United SM*? with feel togs of hostility towards the administration and deter sained to lay all the facta before the country. This will at oaee bring up the Cuba question, an l force t lis a l asinistration to show its hand. Mr. Marcy is firmly seated in the State Uepartment, an l he is as firmly op rosed to the annexation of Cuba at this time WUalevtt his faults, be is not lacking in courage ?nd we may, therefore, expect to witness an Intert'sluiir and bloody ?ght. As for Mr. Buchanan, be will return home dispirited. He bas not been able to achieve any results in Kndand, aad to a man of hi* promiuence the glitter of a court is a poor recompense for the lass of the quiet and repose of bis country seat near Lancuter. [Prom the Herald, Jan. 10. 1856.] Till ORKKD CONFEIIKNCB- ABANDONMENT OF TBI CUBA I'OLICT. We yesterday gave a succinct narrative of the occur rences which led to the Ostend conference, and the ? hanged position of the administration with regard to Ihe acquisition of Cuba. We to day proceed to stato in detail the substance of the celebrated joint despatch signed by Messrs. Buchanan, Mason and Houle, now caret ally away on one of the thelres of the State Department at Washington. Some of the EngHidi papers, in alluding to our article ?f November 7th last, in which we published the result ?f the ostend conftreuce, attempt to invalidate it# cor rectness, by urging tbat it is absurd to suppose M-ssis. Btiebanan Mason and Koule would recommend the gov ?ment of the IniUdsuu, to say to .-pain, you must cither sent-uba or we w,U take it. To their mind it ap pears as If even American diplomacy would not be guilty ?f the buffoonery of presenting of ,loU*n one hand and a dairier in the other, and politely ruius.t mg her to choose whichever horn of th? dilemma she ?ateied. But these |ouroallata must be ?.Ty fallow isjdf"' if they really suppose our publication msant anyth ng of the kind. We stated then, and ??? r?iter?'? ?t, that the joint despatch recommended ?> t>,4l th? ,or. Crament of the United states should declare, in ?f%et that our boner demanded and our int. rest r?t?ir?d we jsiast either purchase or take Cuba " < ancot our sapl rft Lfidon contemporaries understand that th* f arsr v meat of Spain could bo mad* to fool that thi* fu tbe fixed policy of tbo United States, without tbo ui of 007 offensive words, or any belligerent demonatrattoaa ? Tbo joint despatch ? tho result of tho official diploma tlc conference it Oatend? cover* iomo ton or fifteen ?boot* of paper, and a tote* >? folly m such narrow 11 mita adult, tho actual position of affair* in .Spain, aa well aa tbo policy wbicb, in tbo opinion of tho member* of tho conference, should bo adopted by tho United State* . It i* there suggested that our government should authorize a repro Mentation to be made of the fact that tbo whol* colonial policy of Spain in tbo island of Cuba *oem* to ha to been bowed upon a determination to leave no mean* untried to disturb our commerce, intuit onr citizeas, and influence and irritate the public mind of tbo United States , that the people of Cuba, fleeing from oppjenion, find a refuge on our ihore*, and their wrong* a responsive echo in our heart*; that Spain, la boring under pecuniary and social distress? pressed by England for the repayment of money* due, and threa tened by England'* power, must, no matter what 'her hesitation, be merely an instrument in the hands of her powerful ally to carry out a system'of annoyance to tho United States, aad to do all ia her power to check and harafi our commerce. Not satisfied with tho estab lishment of a tii rm wbich exclude* us from a partici pation in the benefits of the markets of Cuba, she seeks by a syatem of apprenticeship, to affect also our social and political institution*. Clan any one for a moment suppose that Canada would now be a de pendency of the British crown, if a liberal government and free institutions bad not prevailed there; if, instead of encouraging trade and intercourse with us. directly the contrary policy had been pursued; and if our citi zen*. when viaitiug the provinces, were treated with in dignity, Impri.-oned and driven out? Yet such, the despatch urges, is the condition of Cuba, aad ita posi tion towards the United States. Arriving at these conclusions, it becomes evident that Spain cannot hope much longer to retain possession of Cuba. This presents another view of the question; and that is, that in any change tlie interests of tho United States imperatively demand that the transfer of tbe sovereignty of tbe island must not inure to the advan tage of any European power. Spain can make but one transfer, and that must be to us. Having thus fully gone over the ground, It i* suggest, ed by the ministers t'.at our government should autho rize the renewal of tbe offer to purchase Cuba, a* "in demnity for tbe past and security for tbe future." Under Mr. Polk's administration a large sum was olfcred. The despatch urges that the sum now to be offered should be munificent. If Spuin refused to listen to term* so reasonable, to a care so plausible; if she cont.nued to turn a deaf ear to our demand for damages, and an apology for outrages already committed, then she should understand that upon the first repetition of these outrages the United States would euforce satisfaction, and the last vestige of Spanish power would be swept from the Wet tern world. Such is the substance of the celebrated despatch, signed by tlie Ministers to England, France, and Spain, and which Mr. Marcy so pertinaciously determines ahull not tee the light. We believe we are correct in assert ing that neither of the gentlemen who aigued it shrink from the responsibility of Ita authorship; but Mr. Marcy, acting npon his convictions of the danger of introducing the Cnba question as an additional element of excite ment to the Nebraska bill, will not let it be nude offi cially public, and as long as he romain* in the State De partment he will eoutitue to rulo. He turn fought his battle with the President, and he t'e-jls that ho exercises the power* of a dictator. Instead of a favorable response to tbe conclusion* arrived at by the " ambassadorial conference," Mr. Mc Rae took back a despatch which might hive emina'ed from the polar region*, so icy cold waa it. Mr. Soule was informed that the policy of the government was wholly opposed to any attempt to prosecute negotiations with a view to the acquisition of Ouba, and he was di rected to repair to Madrid forthwith, and resume bis diplomatic functions with the most lamblike demeanor. Mr. Soulr has declared that he will net submit to such a degrading position, after having committed himsel' as he ha* already done, and that he will return to tbe United State*, and expose the perfidy of the State De partment. j One thing ia certain: General Puree has abandoned all I idea of obtaining Cuba, for the present at leait, either by purchase or conquest, lhe hopes of the Cubans, which were raised in anticipaticn of moral aid from the govern ment of the United States, are blasted. And even those who clung to the 1'resideut as a man of nerve in our foieign relations, and were willing to consider his failures at hr me were more the result of accidents than fault, now bitterly complain of his weakness and lii* abandonment of the policy which they were led to be lieve would, under all circumstances, he adhered to. There is reason to believe that a firm course en the part of the government of the United States would have *o expedited matters in tho ialand tbat ere this Spain would gladly have accepted even a more moderate com pensation for the loss of her tottering power than would willingly have been given by this country. But the mo ment lias passed by? the weakness of the Presi lent, {>alsving all it touches, and tho strength of Marcy, have aid hands upon the flickering torch of liberty in Cuba, un-English policy and European diplomacy are trium phant. We have done our duty in laying before the public the fact* connectod with tbe Oatend conference; anl whenever the documents are published, tliey will cor roborate all we have stated, lo the Ilouie of Repre sentatives the attempt to elicit the Information was par ried by the reference of tbe resolut on to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Is thare not ndependence enough n the Senate to call for tlie despatches, and to compel he President either to declino acceding to the request, and thus tacitly iteknowledge the correctness of our dis closures; or, by boldly sending the documents to Con gress, let the country know what conrac lie Las adopted, ??.a ike icaovun wiiiuit ljuvu induced go marked a change n his foreign policy? The Army Appointments* BEN. M'crtLOCIt'S LETT KB TO TBS PRESIDENT. [From the Wi thiugton Intelligenscr, March 12 1 Washmoto!*. March 10, 1855. I take U arc to request that jou will oblige me by gir ing the enclosed letter a place in your paper of Monday morning. It will be an answer to the many inquiries which are daily addressed to tiie, and will correct various mistaken speculat cms wliicb have found their way to the newspapers in relation to my nomination a* a major of cavalry. Respectfully, your obedient fervant, BES. MoCULLOCH. W apitinotox, March 8, 1855. To ms Exckllkscy tuu President Sir? 1 respectfully beg leave to decline the appoint ment of major of cavalry, and briefly to state some of the reasons that govern me in doing no. I thought, and still think, civilians had a right to ex pect some of the appointments as field officers of the new regiments, and I believe that Congress would not have passed the bill raising them liad it been known that all the appointments of high grade were to be made from the uray, with but one single exception. Out of all the gal lant mea who lud our troops to battlo and to victory in Mexico surely Rome could have been found competent and worthy to command a regiment or a battalion. Nor wai the increase of the amy, as it seem? to me, made ?specially to benefit those who were already in the ser vice. In making the appointments one of these views appears to have been entertained, either of which would piace me in an awkward position. Under the latter view I have no claims, not being in the army, and by my acceptance of the protfered ap pointment uncer the former it would be saying to my gallant countrymen, I alone am worthy of more than a captaincy. This superiority I do not claim, bat, on the contrary, I believe there are many who would not only have beeu good appointments, but would havo rendoreJ eminent service sgainst the Indians in the cavalry regi ments, which are croated tor that particular duty. If there bad been even three or four field officers made from civilians, my position would have been less objec tionable. The army would have at once conceded thore was something due to the country, and that something had been given and of right belonged to those appointed, and no jealousy or bad fteiing could Have arisen. How difltrent from this wo jld be my position were I to ac oept! Some of my subordinates in rank might look upon me as an intruder, occupying a position that they were better entitled to. Nor would it be strange, under existing circumstances, for anch views to be entertained, when it is recollected that out of sixteiu fleld officers I alone come from the citizens, IhereDy giving the officers of the army the right to infer that they have better claims to those appointments. * I am proud to say that the most fiiendly relitions have ever existed between Ihe officers of tbe regular army and myself wherever we have met, whether in rough conflict with the ^neniy or in the peaceful walks of quiet life. On no account would I see it disturbed. War may again come upon our country, and I again have the pleasure of seeing them io the field. If so, I wish to meet them not only as brothers in arm*, but also in feeling, hntertainlng these views, it would be inconsistent in me to accept the appointment. To do so would be a contradiction of all the opinions I have uni formly held, and I think that if Congress shall again at an_v time increase tbe at my by creating additional regi ments, they will carefully provide for the protection of the equal rights of citirens in civil life to fill the new military offices, of whatever grade. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedi ent servant, BEN. kcCULLOCH. The Panama Ilallroad Transportation of Freight* TO THE EDITOR OK THE HIRALD. I hare been eha?ing around for several d*ys, endeavor ing to find out the cost of freight via Panama to Han Francisco. 1 learned at the oiliee of T. P Stanton, 61 South street, that a package of merchandise can be sent through to San Francisco in thirty or forty days, for $3 |*r square foot, or si* c*t>ts per pound for heavy go Ms This is a very important change. A box of go->da (mixed hardware^ measuring two cuhte feet, will weigh nearly 100 pounds, which hat usually cost 140 to $50, ean now be sent for $<i or $n. The difference in lighter g<*>d? will r.ot be so great. Hut inasmuch as the Pacific MailStetm er Company and tbe Panama Ralltoad Ootnpaay seem to be asleep a> to the great importan-e to the public of this change, yon can. if you will, publish this fact ti the world a little ahead of them, as you are of every one else in matters of imprrtanee to tne public.' A little more reduction tn price per cubit) fo>t, will fetch from kurope, via steam, an enormous quantity of valuable goods to go via Panama to San Fran U-.0. As toon as shippers are aware they can s?nd a large trunk or Uix to Qtl.forti'a in thirty or forty davs, at from $10 to $'Jf>, eviry varety of merchandise will he sent. Manufacturers and others at a distance, do not know of this change, at,d I think some remarks from you f a this poir t will bi t<i them of great Importance Stanton has up a steamer for merchandise, at the above named rates, now. to'go through, it is expected, in about thirty or forty days W H Aspli wall went ftut t? make the arrangement* by last st?s:ner, but I suppo.e he will not bind tTu* cjm pany until hi* return when he shall have perfected all tbe wadi niry. But the public want a little t.mely no 1 1ce also. 8. W. A. JS'rw York, Marsh 8. 1 #55. Tlit Mercantile Libel Stilt. MlKKIOK COt RT. Before Hon. Judge Sieeson. Miam 12.? ItiHor BemXari > t. Arthur Ttpjmn ? I Thla case having been settled sine* tbe adjournment of > tbeeotirtnc Kr ! ay , the jnrv were itls^hirge-' this morn i "?* and the wit Mcrfgh. who ha l refused to an I ?wer. anl wss committed to the Custo-i / Of the Sli'Tiff, I * *? a. SO vUsek.ar|<<), Oer Washington C?rrwpwid#?ee. WAsmoioN, lfereh 10. I860. Important Movement in the South-IHrtct Cotton trade vitk Europe? The Important* ef tXu Tndt to tng land?Tke Way Conor ettional Retolutiont are Kept in the Park? The Beiolution </ Inquiry into the Gardiner I Claim ? A. a. Benton and the Labot hlandi, de., dr. I On* of the most important proceeding* of the .South, I Juit at thi* time, i? an effort, which promise* to be *uc I eewful, to practicable the idea, to long harped upon, of direct trade in cotton with Europe, From moet of the Southern State* agent* have been deepatched to the I principal continental courts of Europe to ask and impor tune each *ov*r*ign to take the dutiaa off the importa tion oi cotton in the raw material within their re*pectlv* | dominion*. The importance of this movement in it* J consequence*, **pecially to England, is very olear. For I a long time Blackwood ha* been demon* bating the ralue J of the American cotton trade to England, estimating the [ amount of the imports from the United States each rear in the raw state, to be in ralue about one hundrwd and I twenty million* of dollar* per annum. Upon tbi* capi tal diroctly and iniirectly, ahe employ* more than half I or her working population, engaged on the sea* in her manufactories, at her cotton loom*, in her *toru* and warehouses, spinning her cotton yarn, exporting it to I the continent, and back to the United State*. To rob England t.f her monopoly of this trad* would reduce h?r to great distress, even if it would not maka her a bank I rupt within a short tieie. Dickens, in hi* cogitation* I upon the importance am magnitude of the American I cotton trade to Europ< ha* wisely laid that *ne was 1 dependent upon thi* tri.e for her very existence or to I use bis own language, '-The perpetuity of England hangs I upon a thread of cottcn." A How is about to be I atruck at England from the Southern State* of this con fedM.cy through thi* very interest. which Dicken. and Blackwood and all the wise head* of the present day of England, eat m?te so highly. Secretly this work of pre raration to rob England ot this trad* has been going on I in the South, and now the organization* agaioit her I are already completed. The programme of th* Southern men is, first to have cotton jeoeived upon th? conti nent free of duty. With thi* view agent*, while I write, are betore the Emperor of Russia, France and the Ger manic nation*. The Czar, particularly i* expected to look with favor upon this movement, and to favor it with pJJii", and Influence, a* a measure inimical to England. The otber natiena are expected to favor it Trom motive* of *elf internet, growing out of the trade sr&ftLSr a^ntB to,,di m*et m ?ext, at Aix la Chapelle, and report and consult among them selv*. upon their court* of action, a la Soul,-, BucUanan I and Mason, but with greater chance* or*uccet* in their scheme than attended the congress of the last men tioned gentlemen. Aa soon as the promise is obtained ^?""?ovejeigns that th* continent is op, n H??k?f wUr c?tton. then immediately a continental depot for cotton is to b* established upon I 4i f ?f nt,De?t' in opposition to Liverpool. To estabfiih thisdepct heretofore ha* been tbe great difficulty, but thos* who have this matter in band have at last gone the I right way to work about it, and canvassed the South, and had subacribed from the principal planters in the fciatca a ?epot aa M"a " ?P?ned ?P?? Whh,n ilDfIn<t'<WKtAtbetf,:lvfnte?M 1 bave apokenof. H ithin a fortnight from thi* time an agent of the South rii. , to meet the congress at Aix la . nl?lay ?ext> ? receive their report and views, ano bring them bajk to a convention of planters which j.v ?SBTe"ll>le Oooper's Spring*, in Mississippi, on the 4th i of July next, to go immed ately to work upon this "letter, by putting their cotton on board of a dir?:t line of Southern packet*, if aU the anticipation* of the agents abroad in the meantime are realized. This 1* the pro ginmme exactly as it stand* at present. I have tbe par ticulars of this movement from one who knows all about it, nnd it may be relied upon. I have here given the policy marked out, and whether the achome will suc ceed, other* can judge for themaelve*. In the-e timea, when England is playing such a conspicuous part in he I TLUtir of thu ''"J'' ftDy movement *uch as this, which tend* toward* her bankruptcy, la at least worthy I of much consideration. ' A public matter of some importance, which has been asleep for a lorg time, is about waking up. It !* as fol low?:-?n the Ud of August, 1864, the following resold tion was parsed by Congress T,r?e,!0i{ved' Th,at ,he PrMid?ntbe requested to institute proceedings in law or equity againBt all auch agents, at ?"d confederate* aa may have assisted in pro secuting the claim of George A. Gardiner and John H Mears, or > itber of them, before the Board of Commis - "'oners appoint. ;d under the treaty of Gau ialupe Hidal gfi0*.1 tbe ?djurticat,on of claims on Mexico, in ord.r to ?. y 10 ref"nd thc "mount paid to them as afent*, attorney*, confederate* or assignees out or the and Me'ars 8ul<1 ommiBeionera to sail Garduier ?*,hand?' dartne** having been laid upon every thmg intended to bring to light the acts of whigs and nCitnn.ecie<1 W1,h thope foul transaction, the country will not be surprised to hear that up to thi* Htn^ef\i?rJhe PrMldent> Attorney-General or the SoU citor of the Treasury have rteeived th* printed copy of or'thX6,^^' 011- Vfl* resolution to recover moneys 1 ? ^ ^ , pald to **'ndlers. passed in Con cutWe end nf ' |W' DeT" ^ re*clied th* exe uotn ,ntn /"J Vania av.nue, but ha* been choked w.TuhJ^- darkness and night within the Capitol ?al s by the men whom it wan intended to touch. Thi* tinnUf r ? ?e way laws are e?cuted. A resolu tion ?[ Congress, by some means or bocu* nocu* kent from the President, in the hurry of busiui-ss and a year alter ita pnsaage the U antirely igno! rant of any such resolution before Congress, till his at w.^L ?.D "^"'J'n^U/directed to it la a conversation with a friend. Ell?ha n. Wh ttlesey, during the last tlr anrt .l" p attention of the President to this mat mljn!? I Pr"ident gave orders that it should be im th. i?/w<,\ID'ned ,nt0v Thi" wiU no do"bt disturb the eerecity of two or three distinguished gen'lemen who have been laying the "unctloi to their ?oul?" that this matter was all forgotten and passed. v/!?*, ? G- b#B*on in Washington, trying to get th* Executive Department to take somo stepa towar 1* ob taining for him from Peru the amount she ajrwd ?> give him for his losses in his Lobos Island guano adven turf* under Mr Fillmore's administration. It will b* remembi red that in 1852 Mr. Benson embarkea about* miUion of dollars in the Lobo* Island guano trad*, un. der theassurunce of Mr Webster and Mr. Fillmore that Americn citizens ahould be protected in thls K A* eeutiv* n fair'J' at work under these Ex eeutlve assurance* the protection of the government was n ,l.iZWv "nd Mr, 1It*D"on ru'ned- I. settling The queetion I eru agreed to pay Mr Benson $20 per ton for all the vessels be had engaged for this trade. This was accepted as satisfactory, but Peru has been allowed to go without fulfilling h'er contract, wd mV Benson hw d?.L?? ?Aaid * ClU.t- of gover^lent i*a ou/ ,1,tor7" Pol'tiCB hw?llow? up justice, the of an h(lnMt citlzen are 86 ' ">?>? on the Bcbeming for successions in office. A mere formal alVth!!? i"" 'Ju^ P?y tbe amount that she promised is all that is needed to obtain for Mr. Benson lii* money. NKIX.E. Washington, March 12, 1855. Mr. ScuU's fie hi (f the Ostend Corretjxmdence ? De nunciations of the Administration by the late Minuter ?Major Ben McCulloch' s Resignation ? The Washington Star and its " Correct Information " ? Sen. Hutk s Characteristic Reply to the I' resident? The Central American Expedition about Leaving ? Col. Kinney on his " Otvn Hook " ? I he City again Quiet, die., <Cc. I The publication in the Hkiui.d of the notonouf, if not celebrated Ostend correspondence, ia exciting a gen eral interest and volume! of comment. Mr. Soulc him ?elf speak* freely on the subject, and is delighted to nee it in the Okkald. He feeln consclou* of having the Urge end of the log, and mentally exclaims, "Let him laugh who win*." Indeed, he expresses a positive pride ;n hi* participation ia the affair, (being the author of the report of the conference,) and says the record will convict the administration ot treacuery to him, and of miR'rable vacillation in its foreign policy. Although Mr. Sonic if) pleased with the publication of the Ostend correspondence, yet he in down on tbe ad ministration, and on Mr. Marey ia particular. lie aero fles not to expreoe himself a tbe severest terms of tkt 'resident and bU whole Cabinet. Re says he considers bimself de-ply wronged in being deserted by the admin istration while laboring to carry out it* expressed instruc tions regarding the foreign policy of the country, and that in justice to himself, aud in vindication of his own refutation, he desires a full and complete exposition of tbe whole transaction. Verily, tin* " Ostend Congres* " was not all " moonshine," as stated by the Star of this city. In my last letter I alluded to the fact that Major Ben McCulloch bad declined tbe commission tenderer him by the President of tbe United Suites ? a fact notorious on tbe streets in Washington. The star oi this city baa been pleased to pronounce tbis one of the " lie* of the Bmuld," and adds:? '-It is not true that Ben McCulloch ha? resigned tbe commission in the new regl menti tendered h ni by tbe President, nor has be ad drersed the President any letter relating thereto " Thi* is what the Star call* "correct information for the people," and i? about a* correct as what gennrally appears in that sheet. 1 repeat that Major McCullocn bas not only declined the commission bat ha* written a stlngli g letter to the President, which was read by iieveral gentUmen before being desoatched to the White Bouse. Let t me decide between the .star and your cor respondent a* to who gives correct 1 ?information " Tne Ostend Oon'erence was not all ? moonshine," and Ren McCulloch leave* to day for Texas, to resume his labors a* I'nlted States Marshal for that State, after positively refusing te withdraw hi* letter, a* requested by the i'resid* nt. fien. Kusk, of Texas, called on lit* Efellency on Satur day last, and asked tbe appointm- nt of a young iriend, civilian, to a lieutenancy in one of tbe new regiments, and was informed that tbe officer* ?ere to be taken from the army. " What can I do, sir?" asked the ('resident, " lurronnded as I *m by the army." " I would do just as I d ? d pleased,' responded the oi l Texan His appli cation was tnen Bled for consideration Surrounded by the army, indeed Has it come to th s, that the sword and tbe bayonet is to regulate the a-tion of an America* President ' If this be so, then " tii hour tor revolution is at hand," as declaied by Mr. Campbell in the iiouse of Pepresenta ti?e?. Col. Klbixy left u* yesterday, en route for Central Amtri.'a He slope a few days iu 1'h la >lphia and Ne v York. The comi any. of which he is the a*--nt, fa'ie t to comply with tbelr engagement to raise a certain amount of funds for the expedition, in I the Colonel bas had to resort to hi* own resources to raise the necessary mean*, by hypothecating bis fine Isniled e*t*<e* in Tesas. One gistl'man here advanced him $4", OK), and other* ? mailer amount*. The city is as quiet as the country, and hn' new *nl thin can a politician be seen, lhe hotels and Loarding hcuse* are empty. K Nnprrme Court. ADVPMoir* TO "it* -Thoma" H. Lam Ion, Alexan der C. Wilson, P. V Van Paren (burnt- Hoe- a. Sa nnel 1 Hlrs. b, Cbas K Wri bam (ieorge C V.r irn Char lee I fjnib, Wajmen Ptrtksf, Ambrose Blcgs'anl Jsm?s 1 Sundfnd, -? n of the late Jodfe lewi* A. Stndferd, and ] a uim b*r of the bar ol Califoru a. TIm Alleged Flllbwtortng KipetUOon to Cuba. UMTXD BTATM P18TBICT COURT. Btfon Boa. Jul|? HalL The United States vt. The Steamer JfMlfltkHtil.-Ju. 0. Blackpool iu the last witness on 8atnrday. H? deposed that he is a mariner, and bad bean a captain of a v?ssel sailing from New York; I know the steamer Massachusetts; I have run a vessel from New York to Jacksonville, Fla.; I am acquainted with the coast from New York to Florida; the usual route of steam vessels to New Orleans is to make the Hole-in-the-Wall, if thej do not draw over twelve feet of water, to strike over the bank to the Tortugas, from thence tear west northweet from the Double- headed Keys, thence direct to New Or leans; 1 know Captain Goodrich; I was employed by Oapt. Goodrich on the 13th of January last to go in the Massa chusetts; he asked me if I was acqulnted with the United States coasts; I don't recollect that he mentioned any particular part of the coast; there is a reef off the soast of Florida, called the Florida Reef; there is a passage in side the reef; the Maseachusetti was fit for a voyage slong the const; I saw the wagon* brought on board Thursday before we cleared; when the vessel cleared on Saturday all the deck and fire hands were engaged and ea boai a; Tuesday morning we were abort of men; the eag'nerr had left with the principal members of his de partment; I don't know why the men left; nothing was said to me or in my bearing; I have had no conversa tions lately with Captaiu Goodrich, Mr. Oaksmith or Mr. Wooster; I was to receive $76 per month; the highest wage* give* are $60; the usual rate is about $40 per month; my arrangement was that if I did not like my situation to liave my pacsage paid back from New Or leans in a first clans vetxel; 1 don't think this le the or dns ry course; 1 helped on Thursday to reseive the boxes on board; 1 did not know what they contained ; Mr. W renter shipped the men ; I was not present when the articles were read to thorn; after tbe engineer and fire men left, others were coining and backing out almost daily; Kiadon was not on hoard till the day of the seizurO The crofs examination of the witness was deferred till Monday n>orning. MiKCH 12.? This morning Mr. Stackpool was recalled to the stand, anl cross-examined by Mr. Lovell. [A chart of tbe coast of Florida produced.] Witness pointed out the route that vessels generally take in going from New York to Mobile, or Ne? Orleans; veimels did not tail directly by tbe coast, in order to avoid the euirents; does net know that steamers ever pursue the coast route, which parses through the Gulf Stream; after entering bobind the reef, at Cape Florida, there is no mode of getting out again, except by going through it, oi out. of the Tortugas Bank; an ordinary navigator could not go througo the paasage, inside tbe reef, with out a pilot; sailing vessels never take the course close tinder the reef, because, if caught by the Gulf Stream, they would be borne back; that is the reason they are obliged to make the course round by the Hole in the Wall; steamer* can more readily make the passage unler the reef, and thus save three hundred m les iti the voy age- the month of January is an unfavorable one for tailing in that direc'ioo; the custom, at this season of the year, with vested of 1 ght weight, la to bug the shoie close all the way down from New York. To the Dittrict Attorney? The usual route of steam ers bound for Havana is by the Banks ; they keep close by the shore from New York to Cape Florida; I know no thing of a vessel called Osprey. To Mr. Lovell? I came on board this vessel Jan. 13tb, and remsined on botrd until after the seizure; I was constantly on board, pursuing the busineta for which I was employed; I am pretty well acquainted with all tbe parts of tbe vessel, and all that was on her; I know of eertsin tanka testified to here; I should say they were bniltin the vessel; they are fixed in the vessel, and are pari and parcel of her; i should say they are as old as the versef, and were built when the vessel waa built; 80V e of them were broken and leaky, and incapable of use; tliey would hold 100 or 190 gallon a each, there are four of them; the eeal was in the midd:e of the water caika; it would be Decenary to counteract the weight of th*t coal by dittributing weight throughout the vessel; water would be the best weight to use in counteracting tbe weight of the coal; I should thins that was the reaaon the water was put there; in tbe case of a steamer there is nothing withm tbe knovledge o'. nauti cal men that could be more properly used than water, because when the coal is used the water can ?e pumped in; 1bere was a forge on board belonging to the engi neer's department ; there was an old grindstone on board; 1 should say tbere is nothing unusual in having such thinga on botrd; there were two small boilers, about two feet square; they could be set u pon a range to heat water and cook victuals; I don't think their ca pacity was more than would cook and boil water for about twenty five or thirty men; those boxes containing the teddies and harness, lie., enme down on Thursday and Friday; on Thursday night part of them lay on the wharf ; they were not concealed ; we finished taking tbera on board on Saturday; ('apt. Goodrich had beeu last on the vessel on Friday beforo clear ng her; I did not see him after that until he had cleared her; that was las; Sa turday evening ; when be came on Friday he stay e.l only 10 or 10 m nutes to give me order# respecting the vessel; he then immediately left; I am a man of family and re side in Faco, Maine; 1 am a man of steady employment and have of late sailed in the capacity of mat"; before that I was a captain; I support that family. (J Would jou engage is any operations outside your legitimate business V The District Attorn ay objected to tbe question. It waa ( ntirely a matter of argument Q. V- a< it or waait not your intention toengage m any unlawful expedition in this boat on tbat vo'agel1 A. It w.o uui. v. Wflat was your Intention' A. To go to New Orleans. I y. Had j ou, after clearing the port of New York, any ' Intention to go behind those reefs, instead of taking the ordinary direction? A. I bad not; I bad no Intention ts come to any anchorage before, or meet any vessel before I got to New Orleans. 1 had no intenUon or going in any expedition against any people, before or after 1 reached New Orleans. Cross-examined by the District Attorney ? The tanks had water in them , 1 do not know that the water had b*en urea for the ship's uses; I do not know If there was water in the casks. Q.~ Then bow do you know they were to balance the ship? A. Fecause they were so arranged ; 1 could have put ttem elsewhere; the boilers would not furnish a pint each to 600 mn; the vessel could be used as a transport. Q. would it not be an easy matter to ruu over with her from New Orleani to Cuba? (Objected ti.) There was Fome cooking dene while I was oa board; taose boilers were not used. Q. What were the holsters for? A. They were to carry pistols; ldo not know what the tents were for; I did not receipt for that freight; 1 do not know of any one doing to; I do not know who shipped it; I sup poses tlie c&ptain knew all about it; the captain was to have the command of the vessel; he was to navigate her; he did not tell me what route he was to take: he asked me If I was ever inside the reef*; I was captain of a vessel from tbis port belonging to Tbcmpeon ft Hunter; I have been to Cuba, to Havana; I have never be en to Trinidad; I have never been to San Juan doles Kemedios. I bave been toMatanzas: the busi ness was dull and 1 bad nothing to do; that is the rea son 1 dropped from captain to mate; the last time I re ceived wages as captain 1 sailed on shares; got about $160 a month; as mate I got 975; I have been mm than twuve voyages, m.ybavabeen fifteen, to Cuba; never went I rem Florida to Cuba; never went from New Orleans or Mobile to Cuba. To Mr. Loveli.? A large number of ship captains, dur ing these bard times, have been thrown out of empioy mmt, the e are a gTeat many out of employment now. Tbos. J. Wood, Captain of the Second l?reg?K>ns, and a Lieutenant of the Line, examine by the District Attor ney, oepoeed? That he served in the Mexican war; saw the articles on board tbe Massachusetts went unto the kitchen and found two large boilera of zinc on board, anl saddles and tents; there wers eleven bans which unques tionably contained tents; they would answer for eleven men each; the common tents would only cover six men; saw tent poles ttere such as are ussd for war purposes, raw tin cases which looked like life preservers but tney could be used as canteens, as tbe end m glit be readily cut off ; tbe carriages could not be used in action ; they an* not gun cairiages; tbere is no means of att'icbingguim to then that I saw; tbe harness ws? neither light nor heavy, but medium, the saddles had holster*, an<l could be used for military purposes; I have seen worse used for militaiy purposes; I bave *een troops transported on vessels of not near so good a capacity as tbe Massachu setts; never was in Cuba; never served in Florida; the Mastai husetts, I should think, would cairy from BOO to 1,00U men if stowed clesely. Cross- examinee"? 1 was requested this mornlog to go on boa nl the vessel, by the District Attorney; I came out of the Mexican war at its cl<>se in '48. and went to Texas and served tbere until 'M; tents are used for civil life in Texas, but it is not usual to u?e them in such a way m that country; they are used by "migrants coming in o tbe country and by persons who act tl? down tbere withcut building bouses; tbe carriages would carrv six or twelve ponnd howitzers; they were not cub carriagei .that could be u?ed In action; 1 know a good deal about 'filibustering; if an expedition to attacs Cub* were in tended to succeed it should be organised immediately af ter laodiut ; 1 would not carry tents on sucb an expedition ; it wnuld be absolutely necessary to bave some horses in order to manoeuvre tbe artilierv . I would net take tioaa carriages w.tb me, but it would be necessary to take a few lonoeet cont ngi-ncies, and to ensure the success of the expedition; tbo>e sacdVe would auit very well for frontier life, I hare seen such sadd ee nsel, but not of ten with liorsee; I saw such sad'.les used by the Tetans, Is tbe McLean wtr. lott e District Attorney? I was not at the Unding at Vera Crux. I was with tieneral Taylor at that time; be fore a ?ie>ci nt \s made on ?n? particular place, a ran (*erTous ?? appointed somewhere d-t; I saw uuthing on heard the Massachusetts that would interfere with the Uniting <if trcope; t>ie forge 1 aaw was not exactly what ia u?e?l with artillery . it is a portable forge, aad could be trsn'per'ed aid used in the fr?id, liaac > train c!epo ?d that he Is a lieutenant in the ravr: 1 ss h?en in the service a'tce HU)7 . had command of an expedition; sailed twic- from Nee York toCuba, the route I would take would depend very much upon whether It waa a stesmeror a -ailing vessel tbe ordi nary toute lor a steamer would le through the Gulf of Florida the route stated 'o be that of tlie Massachusetts would h? theuibt, be a most extraorditary on?; saw no necessity lor the M?ssechu*e?ta sighting the Barm-gat, na< igatci - g'twraliv keep clear of it. On err si ?? xs?, n ation, witness said a l/mg Island Soand 1 oat win id ban ly be safe in going to sea. To Mr J< ad, ineseu? I taw a large quantity or life prepetvev* such astbeie produced on hoard the Massv rtutetl"; tliey would not snswer well as life preservers: I thought 'hey were intended for canVem; the boilers I saw did not spfK-sr to belong to 'he range; 1 have been to Cut* several lines I think the necessity for water would 'etmd en tl?e place at which tbe expedit en -1 rxild laud; ( uca is so very well watered I shuuld tfciat tin re would *?? no great necessity for carry n< a large c.nantity water there nearly all or the things I saw on lioard the Massarlui-eits would be necessary in a mil Un me- itim hut t> ere were otb. rtb ngi, a. so Bei-e>?sry, which were tot tbere. Major < nna't Une'ed Statoa Army, gare (omewbat d?Ur ter .mony. ..... William i-enipson strand c.?V no board 'he Massa el u?etts. rfepo>ed to ti e Millers and other artictea be'ng i tier. rre? tie water fromfhe t"i'.T? for cooking; the ' n etaliic boilers were wit used.tbey woill contain fiftj or sixty ga'lons eaeb | Adjourned to Tuttiay, at om o'clock. BOARD OP ALDERMEN. March 13 ? Isaac 0. Barker, Eiq., President, in the chair. The minutes of the teat meeting were reed and intend. MlflOSLLiMOra P A PER*. Sever*] petitions for the remUakm of taxes ware re ceived end referred. The petition of the inhabitants of FI tubing end ita vlclaity for a ferry from foot of Thirty fourth itreet, East river, to Hunter'* Point, on Lcng Ialand, the terminal of the New York and Flush lag Railroad, was referred to Committee on Ferries. A pe tition of several parties to build the City Hall in Madison square was referred to the special committee on that subject. CXI a THE THIRD AVEVTI. Alderman Hbriuck offered the following:? Resolved, That the Manhattan 6ae Light Company be, and they are h? reby, directed to lay their mains through the Third avenue, from Forty-fourth to Ninety- second etreet, and to light the public lamps on said avenue. Referred to Ccmmittee on Lamps and Gas. A petition from the residents on Third avenue, oa the same sub ject, waa aUo referred. THE OLD CITT HALL. Alderman Vooriukh offered the following Resolved, That the Commissioner of Repairs and Sap plies report to thfs Board, at its next meeting, the ex jense of taking down the building in the Park, lately i nown as the New City Hall. Adopted. BRIDGE HTRKXT FERKT. A numerously signed petition from residents of New York and Brooklyn. aeking that tbe Bridge street Ferry < ompeny be compelled to run two boats during the day, nd one boat until 12 P. II , was presented by Alderman teere. Referred to Committee on Ferriee. occvr.vnoN or the room or the board. Alderman Fox offered a resolution to the effect that this room be cot allowed for occupation by any persons except thf Board of Aldermen and Supervisors, unless otberw he ordered by a majority of the Board. Aldermeu Brown and I/Ouo opposed the resolution, as it was evidently intended to prevent the Grand Jury being accommodated with the uae of the ro>m. The re solution waa adop'ed. Alderman Fox then offered a resolution that the Grand Jury be permitted to use this room. Adopfed. INVITATION* From tbe Ucverno's of the Almshouse, inviting this Board to accompany them and tbe Legislature to the institutions on Tuesday, 13th inataat. Accepted. PAI'KKH CONCURRED IN. To concur with the Board of Councilmenin draft forma for aubpeenaa, to answer to questions before oommitteea of tbe Common Council, under an act enabling the Com mon Council to take testimony in mattera referred for investigation. Directing the actual widening of Duane street, 1o take place on the 1st of May, 1855. To flag Twelfth street, between avenue C and Dry Dock To allow regular pay to policcmen Ackerman and Gambling, of the Sixteenth ward, who were suspended from pay. FROM THE CHAMBERS OK COMMERCE. A communication was received from tbe Chambers of Commerce suggesting the propriety and advantage of erecting the public building contemplated, in the Park. Ordered on file. RFP0RT FROM THE COMFTLROLEEIt. The Comptroller, In a communication, reportol the Sixth and Eighth Avenues Railroad receipts, as fol lows, for the month of February Fixth Avenue Railroad (13,390 87 lighth Avenue Railroad 18,458 22 total $31^849 09 LIQUOR ORDINANCE. The Committee on Ordinances reported in favor of the ordinance passed the Board of Councilmen, for the more effectual enforcement of the excise laws, which waa poatponed. Tbe report was directed to be printed. THE LEGISLATIVE VISIT. Alderman Voorhib offered a resolution tendering the members of the I egislature the hospitalities of the city, durlDg their stay here, and to appoint a committee to carry the came into effect Aldermen Bilggs, Brown, Herrlck and Voorhls, were appointed aa bach. BLIPS. A report was adopted granting permission to the New York branch pilots the use of the slip foot of Jackson street. WHARVES. The report from the Board of Councilman making the term for bating wharves one year, instead of live years, waa non-concurred in. EXPENSES OF A COMMITTEE. A resolution frcm the Board of Councilmen, appro priat ng 9260 to "'?fray the expenses of a committee on the Washington market property, to Albany, was lost. The Board adjourned to Thursday, at 6 P. M. BOARD OP COUNCILMEN. The Board met at 5 P. M., D. D. Conover, President, ia the chair. The roll was called by the Clerk, after which the minutes were read and approved. PCrmo.VH I'RESENTKD. From sundry persons, to be appointed CoramUiioners of Deeds; to fence vscsnt lot in Twenty sixth street, be tween Lexington and Fourth avenues; to grade, pave, act and curb, gutter and sidewalk between Forty -fifth and fcixty -fourth streets; from Jacob Harsen, for relief rem onerous sale on assessment, a remonstrance from certain butchers and drovers against the passage of an ordinance trjprevmt the alaughter of swine and neat cattle below Fiftieth street, in this city; for removal of nuisssce in Fortysixth street, near Eleventh avenue; for a re survey ol l*3d street; to fence vacant lots in Nineteenth street, betereen First and Second avenues; to flag sidewalk opposite vacant lot in Nmeteentn street, between First snd Second avenues , to pave sidewalks on north side ot Thirteenth street between avenues A and B, to fits west side of Fourth avenue, from Fourth str- et to Attor place to flsg sidewalks in Houston street; to have vacant lots fenced in Seventh and ?ighth ave nues, between Twenty-tilth and Twenty-sixth streets: from Samuel Smith to be relieved from personal tax; to have crosswalk laid ia front of Presbyterian church in Twenty Blth street, near Eighth avenue; to bavo sidewalk in Twenty-flfth street flagged, from I'resbyterisn church to Eighth avenue; from Hiram Eagle and others, to be organized into a hose company, to occupy the house of hose company 20, disbanded. All referred to appropriate committees; HK80Ll*T102fB AND COMfCNICATIONS. The following were received and referred:? In relation to the removal of night soil; from the Chief Engineer, transmitting one from Hook and Ladder Com pany No. 11. Resolution directing the Comptroller to advertise for houie for the us* of Hose Ctmpsny No 56 From hish (societies, to review them on their annual parade. Accepted. A communication was received from the Chamber of Commerce, enclosing tbe following resolution: ? Resolved. That, in the judgment of this Chamber, the location or the city offices and courts of law in the vicinity of the Custom House, Post Office, Merchants' Exchange, Assay Office, insurance and otber commercial and public offices, baa largely facilitated not only the lensl bat commercial business of the city, and that this Chamber respect ully suggest to tbe honorable the Com mon Council 1 he propriety of erecting the contemplated public tuildiag on the site of those recently destroyed by fire in the Park, believing that the interest of com merce and the public would thereby be greatly promoted. Referred to C\>mm>Ue? on Repairs and Supplies. h worth pkkhkstkd. Frrm Committee on Assessments, in favor of confirm ing tbe astesement list for building a sewer in Forty seventh street, between Eighth and Ninth avenues. From the ssme, in favor of confirming asoessment list for (ewer in Division street, From Committee on Finance, to cam el judgment against Istac H*ll lor epcumbcring sidewalk in Float strait. From Public Bmhw Coinmts sioLer. to f?nce lots on Seventh ana kighth avenuee. From Fire Department Committee, in relation to a loca tion for Fnginx Com piny No 25. From the same, non concurring to oryanixe an engine company in place of Engine 18, disbanded i rom Committee on Streets, to fence lots inTbirtieth street, between Sixth and Seventh avenues. From Gas snd l amp Committee, to permir Batlem (is* Company to lay ma:n pipes in the upper portion of the city, from Committee on Aniessments, to amend report of same Committer in the matter of sewer in ihlxty first street, between Seoond and Third avenues. Ihe Board then went into Committee of tbe Whole to take action on tbe Assessment list. A lone debute en sued on the propriety of giving tbe Exempt Engine Com pany a house. It was at length agree I to furnish them a location in Ann street, between (.'old street and Broad way Tb? third reading of resolutions was then pro ceeded with; after which tbe Board adjourned. BOARD OP SUPERVISORS. Mari ii 12.? HI* Honor, Mayor Wood, in tho chair. The minutes of the last meeting were reed an : approved. CHJLRUS or UTORTIO.N IX THI OmCl OK TUX K1XK1 KB OV TAXIS. Tbe following presmble and resolution were offered by the Supervisor of the Nineteenth ward, (Allermau Her ilck) Wbeteas, There have been numerous complaint! of a system of exbr'lon practised in tr through the office of tbe Receiver of Taxes, by levying excessive costs and en passes upon these wbo negle 'ted to pa) their taxes for 18C4, previous to the l&tbof Jsnasry last; and, whereas, t is understood that his Honor tbe Major hss investi gated this matter, and held a correspondence on the lubject with the Receiver of Taxes? there' ore, Resolved, Thst tbe Mayor be requested to faruish th's Beard copies of any correspond nee which m?y have lafcen p ace b?teeen him and tbe Rece v>r of Taxes on the sunjeit of extra charges to d*Ln<iuent tax payers. The Supervisor of the Seventeenth ward (Alderman Ely) movto to strike out tbe preamnln, as It impdsd a censure m a public officer on m?re rumor. Supervifors Derrick, Baud, Voorhis and the Recorder rpoke in Utor of tbe preamble and res ilutlnn. and each said he ha i been informed of Several instances In which thise co?ts had been impo-ed. Tbe motion to strike out the preamble was lost bv a vote of 18 lo J. Ihe pr amble ana resolution were then put snd adopted. llie Ma> or informed lb* Board that h* ws* retly to furnish the? with a copy of tbe correspondence imme diately. r.r before lb* s <jf urnment The follow ig is the ? '>rreep??dence? Hob, FiasA^ro Wonn:? .... 1>> as Sip- The flr-t knowledge I hsJ that I was assessed f#f personal tax wss a dli tr-ss levy, .vrved ep?n me a few days nice, set tiny forth that my pr?pertv wonll be sold unless I redeem' d it no or hsforo the |t*t h dsy of Kehrasry, with 12 per cent tntsrsit. Tnkins it for rranled that H ers >i< no other remedy, I called at the offi' o of the Collector, I0M luistit (tre t, nndnrt'.e t hstham Bsnk, ?n.l paid tnv Mill ? ?J to my surprise I ft?a4 sddsd t? m> tax ?.f ft ?, W M for easts. e? mtnisslons sail interest, i . as*i inac In a'l. as you will pefeeivs > V the enclosed hill, g7 ?|S, beim ahont jfty n?r . eat additions! *>ow, ha 1 I received oolite 'r. m the' Rs eelvtr ef Taxes Kri see otl ? r ? sy t that I was asses ??", I * n d i ot h? ? ? ? p ?> 'st te i hie grass imposlMea, wbleb, s Is-, irfeeised. a> has be- n eiten-tvely prsctleed . p. i tsj-syer f i nrpose of rettlns a l?r*" amount I v. teii . A' , vat sf tb?w. 1 weal a bar* si dressed *00 ?? rtwipn tl.ii nbjMt had I bMl WIN M* for* that th* <>ffic* or Ooliector of Arrear* >u loag siao* aboliahcd, and thai the procicdiBi ajraintt mi was QImiL 'kmssivs: ?. a?*?* * Mayor's Orricc, New Ton, March JL Ifll Hilfir Bait, Km.. Receiver of Taxsa? Pea R Sir? Mr. I'. Donnelly, 70 Catherine street, 6tWh plaim to that he haa t een obliged to pay 91 85 aa earnest for hie tax bMl of 1864, the original amount of whieh wae IS 2*. The till appear* to ha receipted by W. B. Jam*, oc Richard A. Chambers. Will yoa plaaa* reply by what autbO' rlty of law thle additional sum t* the original bill waa mad#, and l>y what power the persons whew nam** Appear aa having received the tame ara authorised to do. Tear Imme diata attention ia r**p*ctfully requested to thia snbjeot. Very respectfully, FERNANDO WOOD, Mayo*. Tax Receiver's Orricc, March 9, 1855. How. Ferwawdo Wood, Mayor:- ...... _ Sir? In anewer to yonr communication of this date, I have the honor tu reply, that by the 9th section of aat of April If, 184S, (Laws of IMS, p Sl? aa amended by the Mtb section of act of March 30. 1850, (Laws of I860, p. 194,) I tp authorised to issue my warrant to the Sheriff, or any cou? stable of the city an<< county of New York, for the oolleo? tion of any tax remaining unpaid on the 15th day of JanuarJ of each year. By section 2(1 of aot of May 14, 1846, the eon stable is emfuw?re<l to oollect, at the same time with thQ tax and interest, his costs of distress and sale. Br 3 R. 3.. p. ASH, a constable ia authorised to charge and oollaet upon a warrant tb? same fees aa upon an execution. Id the CAM complained of the bill was aa follows;? Tax 15 28 Coate of levy, Ac 2 00 Five per cent commission ? 3 Interest on tax from August 31, 1844, to date of pay. mcnt, at the rate of 12 per cunt per annum, as rc* quired by law 28 Total 97 83 Being the amount paid in the case complained of. I h&TI tlie honor to be, very respectfully, vour obed't aerv't, _ ? ? HARVEY HART, Receiver of TaXM. P. 8. ? The costs and commission are retained by the ooS? (table for his service*. The amount of tax and interest, tS Mi, was returned by him to me, and by me paid intotlM public treasury on the day of return. II, H. Mayor's Office, New York, Maroh 10, i&0. Harvey n art, Esq., Receiver of Taxes:? Sin ? Your communication of the 5th inst. is received, ant should have received an earlier notice, but for other dutlea more pressing. I am not convinced by It that there ia as* thorityorlaw for the collection of the extra charges de manded from delinquent tax payers. You refer to the tot* lowing laws, as Justifying the charge for oosts, commission*. 4c., vis.:? Laws of 1843, sec. 9, p. 319: I.aws of 1843", i?c. 2. pp. 329 and 330, and Laws of I860. seo. 34. p. 194. The ninth section of the act ot 1813 authorises theRecoifeC to issue a warrant, und?r his hand and seal, to any sheriff oe constable of the county, commanding him to levy the said tax, with interest thereon ut the rat* of twelve per cent par annum. This section also provides that the constable shall pay the amount collected io the Receiver, "and shall return sr<h warrant within thirty days." Section 10, I.aw of 1843 (not referred to by you) declares that all sales shall be advei tised for six days, at conspicu ous places in the ward in whloh tho property distrained Ut located, and shall be sold by public auction. Sec. 2, pp. 329,330, l.aws of 1845, is as follows:? "Ia all eases wbenjtbe said Receiver shall proceed by a distress and sale 01 the coeds and chattels of any person for the payment of any tax due ?nd payaMe as well before as after the said first day or October, 1843, it thai I be lawful for hm to au thorize the officer making such distress and sale to colleofc in addition to th* tax and interest thereon, the cost* o? such distresi and rale." Sec. 34. l.aws of i860, p. 195, declares. That the Constable "shall proceed to levy the said tax with intorest thereon to the time when the distress and sale is made"? thns provid ing for distress and sale of the gnods 01 delinquents, baft not lor any lees or costs for snch distress and sal*. Sec. 36 of same law (to whieh the Receiver does not rtferK repeals ' all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with eaiJ act." The act of 1845 allows, in direct terms, the constable and! receiver to collect the costs of distress and sale in addition to the tax and interest; but does not allow of costs, com missions, Ac., when no sale is made Bnt the law of 1850 also states in direct terms what item! shall be collected, even when a distress and sale is made, vis: the tax and interest thereon, and also repeals all actj inconsistent with this act. In no law is there found the right to eollect fees of lefg and commission except when a diatress and sale is made, ana then such sale to be t>y public auction. 1 cannot find anj| law authorising the levy of 6ve per cent fees for collection*. The laws of 1843 and 1850, to which yon refer, ara nearly identical in terms. If the act of 18& did not allow the charge for oosts, Ac., but required the strengthening of the act of 1845, how does the act of 1850 allow those charge*, when it uses the cam* terms as were used in 1843 in relation to the collection of taxes, ,1cc., and repeals all other acts, and parts of acts, inconsistent with it. It is difficult to find tha right to make those charges, except upon tho assumption that when a statute docs not expressly prohibit th* exeroira of a power, it must he construed as allowing it. There is something extremely ohjeotional to subjecting persons wh? have either not been duly notified, or who, from other causes, have omitted to pay their taxes within the required time, to so great an advance over the original charge. Ik shonld not hs done, especially when its legality is so ex tremely doubtful. C< rtainly our tax payers are sufficiently taxed to support the absolute and legitimate expenditure of the city government, without hearing the additional burden of supporting useless officers, and enabling them to derive $a great n revenuo without In fact performing any duty of advantage to the puolio, l'crmit mo to nak that this abU|ff be reformed altogether. Very respootfully, FERNANDO WOOD. Mayof. A resolution to increase tbo pay of Jonathan W. Odell, Crier of tlie Superior Court, from 9700 td $800 ? year, wae ofltred, and several members having borne testimony 1o the character of M. Od?ll all an old and cfficicnt officer, the resolution was unanimously adopt ed. THIRD AVENUE RAILROAD. The report of the Committee on Annual Taxes, ia favol of remittiug the tax ?f 1864 against the Third Avenue Railroad Co. WAST OF ACCOMMODATION FOR THE CITY ORASJD JVVT. The Bkcordkr csl'ed the attention of the Heart) to the fact that the city Grsnd Jury were compelled to adjourn this day for want of uceommodat on, the room assigned o them heing inconvenient and Insufficient. One mem ber of tbe grand inquest of the last session, or the sec tion before, contracted an illness which teirainated In his death, and which was attributed to the bad state of their ro< ro Ueless a room la provided for them they will not mtet,and there will be no business for the Court of Sessions Supervisor of the Seventh, (Alderman Fox), explained tbat in abont a week another room would be ready for the Grand Jnry. The Bkcorikr suggested tbat the Grand Jury should be allowed the temporary use of the chamber of tht Board of Aldfrmen. The Mayor reminded tbe Board that he had brought this matter be'ore the Board on a former occasion, and be would ssy tbat if he were a Grand Juror he would not for tbe value of the Ci'jr Ball sit in the room assigned to tbem, for one day. The Tombs are full of persona waiting for indictment and trial, and unleaa accommo dation be provided for the Grand Inquest the prison must remain full. Supervisor Elt objected to this room being allotted for such a motly group as generally came as witnesMi be fore the brand Jury Supervisor Vooruts saw no reason why the Grand Ju ry ahould not be accommodated with the nae of thia room. He thought the Supervisor of tbe Seventeenth (Ely) mistook the character of the witnesses for that of the rowdies and vagabonds whom their testimony brought to justice. ? Superviser Brow.n (First ward) was in favor of grant* ing tee Grand Jury the use of thla room. On motion, tbe matter waa referred to the Board of Aldermen, and the Supervisors adjourned to Monday next, at 4 o'clock. Theatres and Exhibition*. , Broadway TmtAnoi.? Miss Eloise Bridges mates her second appearance this evening. In Sh lei's tragedy of "Evadne, or tbe ctatue," Mrs. Warren as Olivia, and Mr Conway as Colonna. The 'aree entitled "To Oblige Benson," will conclude the entertainmeate. Miss Bridges appears again to-morrow evening. Bowery Thsatri? Tbe pieces selected for this eve ning are "Ibeiese, or tbe Orphan of Geneva," with Mis. fyrrtll a? Tberese, and Mr, Cook aa Car a in. The drama of "American Farmers" will follow, Mr. S. W. Gli nn as Jonathan Ploughboy. The nautical drama oC "Clack Eyed 8utan" concludes the amusements, Botox's Theatre.? Two great favorites are tfl* uounced lor this even ng, namely, the comedy of tha "Peiious Family," and the amusing drama of ths 'Toodles." Burton app-ars as Aminidab Sleek and Timotby Toodle. Miss Aenie Lee, Mrs. Hough, and XT Jordan alro appear. Wallace's Theatre. ? A very attractive bill la an nounced for this evening llie first is the comedietta of "Two Can Play at lhat Game." Goldsmith's comedy of "Sfce Stoops to Conuuer" will follow, with a cast embracing the names of all the moat talented Member* of the company. American Mt set m. ? the moral drama of " Hot uorn," and the farce of " Irliabod's Crsne," aie selected for tba afternoon peiformance, and in tlio evei ing the domes Ua drama. "Honesty the B?st of l'olicy," with Clarke, Hadaway, and Mus Mislay er in the principal parte. Wood's Mtnotrei-m. ? This band gives a variety of sing ing and dancing and instrumental pieces, together wltll the burlesque on Shakspesre's tragedy of " Macbeth." Br ce LEV'S Shu.vahem ? This company announces the revival of the burlesque on' the opera of "Lucia dl 1-ammei moor." Ibey alio give a great variety of negro melcdies. Peiuiam'm Opera Hor&E.? This place was opened last evening under very promising circumstances, the com pany is a arge one, numbering twenty-five. The Black 8wan rings at the Athenum Hall, Brook lyn, to night and te morrow evening. Hor* Chapel.? Mr. Mclntyre give* an evening witil Burns, on Wednesday, at Hope ( hapel, Broadway. Cauforma.? Tbe Chronicle of February 16 savi? ? Theatricals are ebsring in the barn times common to all kinds of buMces* in tbe city aud State. The Metropoli tan theatre lias proiuced a series of operas never befora performed here, to genersl y poor hi uses. This beusa hs> been open only tbrer or four nights in the week. Iba Ame.iren theatre, the only pUce left for English orairs, dr%ws equally poor attendances. Tbe nee Turn re' Hall baa been we I attended at particular times, when hslls and Instrumental concerts by (UAereat Get mas societies have been given. Mew York Veterans of 1814. OlNBBAl OttDKH. Heah Qcarters, Alkaxy. March 7, 1?M. The General In Chief is happy to tie able to announce to the officers sud soldiers o' the war of 1812, In tbe State of New York, that their and hn eflorta to obttln from <onor??s sn sddltional appropriation of bounty laad have bem crowned with success Jacb man of any grade, service, or color, who has been muttered, and actually served fourteen days, and in i-a? e he is oead. bis wido? or his minor cb:l<l or chil dren is entitl|A to rece ve so much land as will invert bun with one nuadred snd sixty seres In all. Tbe G<neral in Ch ef. in discharge of his obligation to watch %j>t snd advance tbe true interests of the Veterans ot the State, em' races this opportunity to cau tion each man to be careful in tie sel-c'lon of an agent to draw bis papers and ob nin hisl?nl warrant, to pay do tni ney m advance, and not more than from three to five doll- re in the most difficult cases, on receiving U iM lsml warrant I leclsimips all Intention to dicta'* whom they should prefer, ^be Ceeeral In Chief deems it else, and therefore advises, tbat each Veteran employs tn his vicinity an spent wl o is terf amended by the offlceri of tbs Vetera* otgsnintion. wlose feelings and s^mpa'hies are natural ly on the - ids of the old soldier, snd who hav* ptoven their devotion to his interes* bv unceasing efforts to pro mt te It st considerabls ro.t snd <"ip*n*e In and out of the *ta!s JOHN VAN ROHMCLAER, Get ? ril ls Chief ol the Veteiaos of HIS in the Staty ef Nsw York. Jouj Alwavk, Atd il? Camp.